Author: Elizabeth Jenrola Oso

Australian

An eight-year-old girl left destitute in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa has been refused permission to join her parents in the UK. The Guardian reported on the case of Lati-Yana Stephanie Brown, whose mother, Kerrian Bigby, moved from Jamaica to Britain in April 2023 to live with Lati-Yana’s father, Jerome Hardy, a telecommunications worker. Bigby, who works as a carer, left her daughter in the care of her grandmother. The couple married earlier this year and, after saving £4,000 for the visa application fee, applied in June for Lati-Yana to join them. Following Hurricane Melissa, which destroyed the house where the…

For the first time since 1988, the United States government will not commemorate World Aids Day, according to reports. The state department has instructed its employees and grant recipients not to use government funds to mark the annual event on 1 December, nor to promote it publicly. The directive was first reported by journalist Emily Bass and confirmed in an email seen by the New York Times. Staff and grantees may still attend related events and highlight ongoing work to combat Aids and other infectious diseases, but the email advised them to “refrain from publicly promoting World Aids Day through…

Vladimir Putin has said that a draft peace plan discussed by the United States and Ukraine could serve as a foundation for future negotiations to end the war, but insisted that any agreement would require Kyiv to surrender territory. Speaking during a visit to Kyrgyzstan, the Russian president remarked: “In general, we agree that this can be the basis for future agreements,” noting that the version of the plan discussed in Geneva had been shared with Moscow. He added, “We see that the American side takes our position into account in some areas. But in other points, we clearly need…

Amnesty International

France will introduce a voluntary military service programme lasting ten months, aimed chiefly at young people aged 18 and 19, as European nations grow increasingly concerned about the threat posed by Russia. President Emmanuel Macron announced the initiative during a speech to troops in Varces-Allières-et-Risset in the French Alps, confirming that the scheme will begin by mid-2026. He said the measure would help France respond to “accelerating threats” on the global stage. Nearly thirty years after conscription was abolished by President Jacques Chirac in 1997, Macron ruled out a return to compulsory service but stressed the need for mobilisation. “France…

Jakarta surpasses Tokyo as world’s largest city

Hundreds of Israeli soldiers backed by armoured vehicles have carried out raids in the Palestinian town of Tubas near Nablus, marking the largest military deployment in the occupied West Bank since the ceasefire in Gaza last month. The operation, described by Israel as a “broad counter-terrorism” campaign, is expected to last several days. Palestinian media reported that a curfew was imposed on Tubas and neighbouring communities on Tuesday night. Roads were blocked with earthen barriers, and families were forced from their homes to allow Israeli forces to use the buildings. Witnesses described scenes of disruption as troops moved through residential…

Four people have died and several others remain trapped after a massive fire tore through a residential complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon. Thick plumes of grey smoke billowed from the high-rise towers as emergency services battled the flames in a desperate rescue operation. Police confirmed the fatalities and said that two people were in critical condition with severe burns. The city’s public broadcaster, RTHK, reported that a number of residents were still inside the burning buildings as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Several members of the fire services sustained injuries while attempting to…

Lai